Since March 2022, the band has been touring, playing their music and championing sustainability all over the world.
It’s been seven years since Coldplay last visited the Philippines, but the welcome was as warm as ever. This time, the British rock band took on the world’s largest indoor arena with their Music of the Spheres World Tour.
Thousands of fans made their way to the Philippine Arena for two sold out nights, eager to hear hit songs such as “Paradise,” “Viva La Vida,” “Yellow,” and more.
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Concert Highlights
It may be a Coldplay concert, but the band was more than happy to share the stage with up-and-coming Filipino artists. R&B singer Jikamarie was the band’s opening act on both nights. She performed original songs such as “Hinahanap-hanap,” “Balang Araw,” and “Lutang.”
On the first night, the band’s vocalist Chris Martin surprised their fans by singing a few lines from Lola Amour’s “Raining In Manila.” It was an even a bigger surprise when he invited the Filipino rock band on stage, continuing with an acoustic version of the song. The next day, it was Dilaw’s turn to jam with Coldplay with their song “Uhaw.”
Throughout the night, large balloons and lit up wristbands filled the huge arena. “Maraming, maraming salamat. Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Masayang kaming [bumalik] sa Pilipinas,” Martin said. “So happy and grateful, and ang ganda niyong lahat! Okay that’s enough Taglish. We’re gonna give you the best show!”
In the middle of the packed setlist, Martin took time to read out some of the signs fans were holding up. Some were even invited onstage and had their song requests fulfilled.
The band shared plenty of special moments with the audience, like when they asked everyone to turn off their cameras for just one song. The fans were able to watch them perform “A Sky Full of Stars” with their full attention.
The band had another request for their Filipino fans. “Since everybody sings so beautifully here in Manila, we would like to ask you to sing with us,” Martin said. He explained that they would be recording the crowd’s voices for their new song. After a short tutorial, the audience pulled it off beautifully, singing the line “Love who you love.”
Sustainability Pledge
Last year, Time listed Coldplay among the most influential climate action leaders in the world. According to the article, the band held off on touring until they could find more sustainable alternatives.
The band’s initiative is guided by three key principles—reduce, reinvent, and restore—as stated on Coldplay’s website. For Music of the Spheres, they have released 47% fewer emissions compared to their 2016-17 stadium tour.
Using new technology, the band’s stage production is now almost entirely powered by renewable energy. Some of the most popular examples are the kinetic dance floors and electricity-generating power bikes found at every venue. With kinetic energy, fans are able to help power the very concert they’re about to experience.
Almost every material used in the show is reusable or recyclable. The stage itself is built with recycled steel. Meanwhile, the LED wristbands that are given to audience members are made with compostable, plant-based materials. After the show, fans are encouraged to return the wristbands so that they can be used for the next shows.
Of course, with such a huge show, the tour will still have a significant carbon footprint. To balance this, the band has pledged to plant at least one new tree for every ticket sold. To date, Coldplay has supported 21 planting projects across 17 countries.
These are just some of the ways the band is reinventing the way tours are handled. By taking on the responsibility and helping their fans become more involved, they truly are making music for this sphere, our planet.
Banner image via X @coldplay.
